Dark Matter Evidence Further Uncovered By Eager Scientists

Scientists on Friday announced a breakthrough that could help them prove the existence of dark matter. According to the group of researchers, new results point to further evidence that the elusive matter exists.

The new findings were announced at the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters.

According to Michael Salamon, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science program manager for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS):

“There have been little glitches, but the end product is here for all of us to see and it’s a happy day.”

NASA scientists used a buz-size particle detector (the AMS) mounted to the outside of the International Space station to investigate the presence of dark matter in our universe.

Scientists examined a year-and-a-half worth of data and found about 400,000 positrons, the antimatter partner particles of electrons.

According to William Gerstenmaier, the NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations:

“Some days, my job is really great, and this is one of those days where my job is really great.”

The breakthrough validates the work of the scientists who had to fight for their $2 billion dark matter detector. The AMS program was originally cancelled in 2005 over concerns of astronaut safety. It wasn’t until major backlash in the scientific community occurred that NASA received permission to move forward with the project.

The AMS was launched to the International Space Station in May 2011. The project is run by Nobel laureate Samuel Ting, a physics professor at MIT. Ting is currently working with 200 scientists from 56 different institutions in 16 countries.

Researchers are convinced through early results that further breakthroughs will be discovered with the help of the AMS program.

According to NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier:

“I think it’s just kind of the beginning of other great things that will come from this instrument on board space station.”

Do you think scientists have the technology needed to uncover dark matter, or are true breakthroughs still years in the making.